Refrigerator having a stowable shelf holder

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a refrigerator which comprises a compartment for refrigerating articles; one or more shelves which are releasably disposed into the compartment and one or more shelf holders each for releasably holding the respective shelf. The refrigerator of the present invention further comprises: one or more cavities each formed into the inner side wall of the compartment, wherein each shelf holder comprises a supporting member which is releasably and movably disposed into the respective cavity and adapted to be moved to a stowage position inside the respective cavity where it releases the respective shelf and becomes flush with the inner side wall and to an extended position outside the respective cavity where it supports the respective shelf.

The present invention relates to a refrigerator. The present invention more particularly relates to the shelf holders of the refrigerator.

Refrigerators are commonly known in the art. A refrigerator generally comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment for respectively refrigerating the articles to different temperatures. In order to increase the user convenience, the refrigerator is generally provided with a plurality of shelves which are releasably disposed into the fresh food compartment and a plurality of shelf holders for releasably holding the shelves at different heights. The user can change the positions of the releasable shelves in accordance with the sizes of the articles to be refrigerated. Thereby, the user can use the space inside the fresh food compartment more efficiently in accordance with his/her actual requirements. The fresh food compartment generally comprises an inner lining which is integrally provided with a plurality of recesses and/or protrusions which receive the shelves respectively and thus function as the shelf holders. The space behind the inner lining is commonly filled with a heat insulating material such polyurethane foam which also reinforces the recesses and the protrusions.

WO2015000525 (A1) discloses a refrigerator which comprises a plurality of releasable shelves.

A problem with the prior art domestic refrigerator is that the recesses and the protrusions of the inner lining define an unsmooth surface which cannot be easily cleaned by the user. Moreover, the recesses and the protrusions look complicated.

Another problem with the prior art domestic refrigerator is that the recesses and the protrusions cannot be replaced or repaired when they are damaged. Such damages are likely to be happen when the recesses and the protrusions have a reduced mechanical strength for one reason or another. For instance the recesses and the protrusions generally have a reduced mechanical strength when the heat insulating material does not completely fill the spaces behind the inner lining.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables the user to easily clean the inner side walls of the compartment and which enables the shelf holders to be easily serviced in case of damage.

This objective has been achieved by the refrigerator as defined in claim 1. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The refrigerator of the present invention comprises one or more cavities each formed into the inner side wall of the compartment, wherein each shelf holder comprises a supporting member which is releasably and movably disposed into the respective cavity and adapted to be moved to a stowage position inside the respective cavity where it releases the respective shelf and becomes flush with the inner side wall and to an extended position outside the respective cavity where it supports the respective shelf.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can release the shelves and move the supporting members of the shelf holders to the stowage positions when cleaning the inner side walls of the compartment. Thereby, the even surface of the compartment can be easily and quickly cleaned and thus the dirt can be more effectively removed. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the service person can release and replace the supporting members in case of damage. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can move the unused supporting members of the shelf holders to the stowage positions and thus improve the visual appearance of the inner side walls. With the present invention the user satisfaction can be increased.

In an embodiment, the shelf holder has a frame member which movably holds the supporting member through a first mounting means. In alternative versions of this embodiment, the supporting member is held through the first mounting means such that it can rotate about a horizontal axis or a vertical axis. In other alternative versions of this embodiment, the first mounting means comprises a first form-fitting connection and/or a first force-fitting connection which movably mounts the supporting member to the frame member. These first form/force-fitting connections may include horizontal or vertical trunnion like pins which are mounted into the counterpart pivots through a screw fitting, a lock fitting or a bayonet fitting. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the shelf holder can be configured in various different ways and can be easily stowed away when it is not in use or when the user intends to clean the inner side walls.

In another embodiment, the frame member is releasably mounted into the cavity through a second mounting means. In alternative versions of this embodiment, the second mounting means comprises a second form-fitting connection and/or a second force-fitting connection which releasably mounts the frame member into the cavity. These second form/force-fitting connections may, for example, include one or more projections which are received in corresponding recesses through a lock fitting, a bayonet fitting, or a press fitting. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the shelf holder can be releasably mounted into the cavity in various different ways and can be easily serviced in case of replacement.

In another embodiment, the first mounting means releasably mounts the supporting member to the frame member. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the component parts of the shelf holder, namely the frame member and the supporting member can be separately released from the cavity.

In another embodiment, the supporting member has a tongue. When the user engages the shelf with the shelf holder, the respective lateral side of the shelf pushes the tongue and causes the support member to move from the stowage position to the extended position. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the shelf holder can be more easily engaged with the shelf.

In another embodiment, the shelf holder includes a push-to-open mechanism which can be manually actuated by the user to move the supporting member from the stowage position to the extended position. The push-to-open mechanism is coupled to the supporting member and can be manually actuated by pushing the supporting member inwards. In a version of this embodiment, the push-to-open mechanism comprises a spring-loaded gear mechanism, optionally, in combination with one or more spring elements which generate a thrust during the opening of the shelf holder. Of course, other type of push-to-open mechanisms which are known those skilled in the art can be alternatively used. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the supporting member can be easily extended for holding the respective shelf and can be easily stowed away when it is not in use or when the user intends to clean the inner side walls.

In another embodiment, the supporting member is releasably secured at the extended position through a stopper mechanism. In alternative versions of this embodiment, the stopper mechanism comprises one or more catches which are disposed onto the frame member or the inner side wall. In other alternative versions of this embodiment, the stopper mechanism comprises two mutually engaging abutment surfaces which are disposed onto the supporting member and the frame member or the inner side wall. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the supporting member can be prevented from dislocating as it bears the shelf.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the refrigerator and the shelf holder of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1—is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator which has a plurality of shelf holders according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2—is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the detail A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3—is a schematic front view of the shelf holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4—is a schematic side view of the shelf holder of FIG. 3, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the stowage position;

FIG. 5—is another schematic side view of the shelf holder of FIG. 3, wherein the supporting member has been moved the extended position;

FIG. 6—is a schematic sectional view of the shelf holder of FIG. 5, taken along the line B-B as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7—is another schematic sectional view of the shelf holder of FIG. 5, taken along the line C-C as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8—is a schematic sectional partial view of the refrigerator, taken along the line B-B as shown in FIG. 3, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the stowage position and the shelf has been released;

FIG. 9—is another schematic sectional partial view of the refrigerator, taken along the line C-C as shown in FIG. 3, wherein the supporting member has been moved the extended position and the shelf is supported by the shelf holder;

FIG. 10—is a schematic enlarged partial view of the detail D of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11—is a schematic perspective exploded enlarged partial view of the detail D of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12—is a schematic partial perspective view of the refrigerator according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the stowage position and the shelf has been released;

FIG. 13—is a schematic partial front view of the refrigerator of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14—is a schematic sectional partial view of the refrigerator of FIG. 13, taken along the line E-E;

FIG. 15—is a schematic perspective view of the shelf holder of FIG. 12, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the stowage position;

FIG. 16—is another schematic perspective view of the shelf holder of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17—is another schematic perspective view of the shelf holder of FIG. 12, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the extended position;

FIG. 18—is another schematic perspective view of the shelf holder of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19—is a schematic perspective view of the supporting member of FIG. 12;

FIG. 20—is another schematic perspective view of the supporting member of FIG. 12;

FIG. 21—is a schematic partial front view of the refrigerator according to a another alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the extended position and the shelf has been released;

FIG. 22—is a schematic partial side view of the refrigerator of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23—is a schematic sectional partial view of the refrigerator of FIG. 21, taken along the line F-F;

FIG. 24—is a schematic sectional partial view of the refrigerator of FIG. 22, taken along the line G-G;

FIG. 25—is a schematic perspective view of the shelf holder of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26—is another schematic perspective view of the shelf holder of FIG. 21;

FIG. 27—is a schematic perspective view of the shelf holder of FIG. 21, wherein the supporting member is being moved from the stowage position to the extended position;

FIG. 28—is another schematic perspective view of the shelf holder of FIG. 21, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the stowage position;

FIG. 29—is a schematic perspective view of the supporting member of FIG. 21.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

-   -   1. Refrigerator     -   2. Compartment     -   3. Shelf     -   4. Shelf holder     -   5. Cavity     -   6. Inner side wall     -   7. Supporting member     -   7 a. Tongue     -   8. Frame member     -   9. 1^(st) mounting means     -   10. 2^(nd) mounting means     -   11. Push-to-open mechanism     -   12. Stopper mechanism

The refrigerator (1) comprises a compartment (2) for refrigerating articles;

one or more shelves (3) which are releasably disposed into the compartment (2) and one or more shelf holders (4) each for releasably holding the respective shelf (3) (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention further comprises one or more cavities (5) each formed into the inner side wall (6) of the compartment (2) (FIG. 8; FIG. 14; FIG. 23). In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, each shelf holder (4) comprises a supporting member (7) which is releasably and movably disposed into the respective cavity (5) and adapted to be moved to a stowage position inside the respective cavity (5) where it releases the respective shelf (3) and becomes flush with the inner side wall (6) and to an extended position outside the respective cavity (5) where it supports the respective shelf (3) (FIG. 8, FIG. 9; FIG. 14, FIG. 17; FIG. 23, FIG. 28).

In an embodiment, each shelf holder (4) further comprises a frame member (8) for movably holding the supporting member (7); a first mounting means (9) for movably mounting the supporting member (7) to the frame member (8) and a second mounting means (10) for releasably mounting the frame member (8) into the cavity (5) (FIG. 5, FIG. 8; FIG. 14; FIG. 23, FIG. 25).

In another embodiment, the first mounting means (9) is further adapted to releasably and movably mount the supporting member (7) to the frame member (8) (FIG. 6; FIG. 16; FIG. 24).

In another embodiment, the supporting member (7) has a tongue (7 a) which is adapted to be pushed by the shelf (3) so as to move the supporting member (7) from the stowage position to the extended position (FIG. 14).

In another embodiment, one or more shelf holders (4) each comprises a push-to-open mechanism (11) which is adapted to move the supporting member (7) from the stowage position to the extended position when the push-to-open mechanism (11) is manually actuated by the user (FIG. 6 and FIG. 8).

In another embodiment, one or more shelf holders (4) each comprises a stopper mechanism (12) for releasably securing the supporting member (7) at the extended position (FIG. 7 and FIG. 9).

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can release the shelves (3) and move the supporting members of the shelf holders (4) to the stowage positions when cleaning the inner side walls (6) of the compartment (2) (FIG. 8; FIG. 12; FIG. 28). Thereby, the even surface of the compartment (2) can be easily and quickly cleaned and thus the dirt can be more effectively removed. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the service person can release and replace the supporting members (7) in case of damage (FIG. 6; FIG. 19; FIG. 29). Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can move the unused supporting members (7) of the shelf holders (4) to the stowage positions and thus improve the visual appearance of the inner side walls (6). With the present invention the user satisfaction can be increased. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above described embodiments. 

1. A refrigerator comprising a compartment for refrigerating articles; one or more shelves which are releasably disposed into the compartment and one or more shelf holders each for releasably holding the respective shelf, characterized in that one or more cavities each formed into the inner side wall of the compartment, wherein each shelf holder comprises a supporting member which is releasably and movably disposed into the respective cavity and adapted to be moved to a stowage position inside the respective cavity where it releases the respective shelf and becomes flush with the inner side wall and to an extended position outside the respective cavity where it supports the respective shelf.
 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that each shelf holder further comprises: a frame member for movably holding the supporting member; a first mounting means for movably mounting the supporting member to the frame member and a second mounting means for releasably mounting the frame member into the cavity.
 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that the first mounting means is further adapted to releasably and movably mount the supporting member to the frame member.
 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting member has a tongue which is adapted to be pushed by the shelf so as to move the supporting member from the stowage position to the extended position.
 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more shelf holders each comprises a push-to-open mechanism which is adapted to move the supporting member from the stowage position to the extended position when the push-to-open mechanism is manually actuated by the user.
 6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more shelf holders each comprises a stopper mechanism for releasably securing the supporting member at the extended position. 